Pinoy Life: Classic Filipino Traits and Characteristics

Filipino Characteristics: Who We Are

Every country has its differing values and stereotypes, and the Philippines is no exception. We Filipinos firmly believe that our country has the best values and traits in the world. Although we have been colonized by several countries, many core values from our ancestors have remained intact and are still honored to this day.

Filipinos are not perfect, but we have great characteristics and qualities every one of us should be proud of. Below, I've listed some of the most well-known positive and negative traits of Filipinos.

Positive Traits

Below are some of the common positive traits to be found in Filipino culture!

1. Hospitable

This is one of the most popular qualities of Filipinos. Foreigners who have gone to the Philippines find themselves falling in love with the warm hospitality they are shown. It's a different kind of value system that has existed for thousands of years.

Here are some examples of the hospitality that Filipinos show, not only to foreigners but also to their fellow citizens:

• When a person visits a friend's house, the host greets him or her with a very warm welcome. The host will immediately let their visitor sit down and will prepare a meal or a snack plus drinks for the visitor. The host will insist that the friend not leave the house with an empty stomach. A host will always make sure you have a great time visiting them.
• People offer their guest rooms to visitors if they're going to spend the night.
• Meals offered to guests are very special. A host always finds a way to prepare great-tasting food that her visitor wants to eat.

2. Respectful and Courteous

This is often observed not just by younger people but by people of all ages.

• Children respect elders by saying "po" and "opo," which mean "yes," when answering their elders.
• Children or young adults also show respect by putting their elders' hands on their foreheads.
• Filipinos also show respect at work by bowing to their employers.

3. Strong Family Ties and Religions

Filipinos value their families so much that they tend to keep families intact through the generations.

• Families go to church and pray together because their religion is important and creates a strong bond, marking God as the center of their lives.
• Families make sure to have quality time together, especially after a day's work. Just watching television or eating a family meal will be valued and prioritized in everybody's schedules.

4. Generous and Helpful

Filipinos are generous people. Even when we have very little, we always share with those around us.

• During special occasions such as birthdays or "fiestas"—parties when people from other places visit your home to celebrate with you—there are lots of foods specially prepared for everyone! Friends, family, friends of friends, and even strangers can gather, and they are always willing to share food and help out.
• When a neighbor is in trouble, Filipinos are always ready to help them.

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5. Strong Work Ethic

Yes, we are hardworking people to the point that we are willing to work almost the whole day just to feed our families. That's how Filipinos are.

• One example of a hardworking person is a farmer. They earn so little, but they still work very hard for not much compensation.
• Filipinos always find creative ways to earn a living, like creating a small business from their home where they sell food or other items for the convenience of their neighbors.

6. Loving and Caring

This is so true! Filipinos are the sweetest and most loving people in the world. I'm not just saying this because I'm a Filipino; if you know us well, you will soon figure this out.

• Men are so sweet and romantic when it comes to love. They will send their beloved flowers, bring her to a very romantic place, text her sweet quotes, and tell often how special she is to them.
• Filipino women are also romantic and very caring, which often makes foreigners want to marry them. Women tend to prepare dinner before their husband comes home. They are loving, and value the relationship, always staying faithful to their husbands. They love deeply and sincerely.

Some Not-Always-Positive Traits

I don't want to sound totally arrogant. Awesome as Filipinos are, we are not perfect. Here are a couple of not-so-helpful traits that also can represent Filipinos.

• Fatalism: An attitude of "what goes around, comes around" or "come what may." We have a tendency to surrender our future to fate. We often accept bad news or circumstances without trying to stop or change them. This can sometimes be helpful in adversity, but it can also keep us from finding ways out of situations. Also, constantly expecting the worst can get pretty depressing.
• Crab mentality: This is prevalent in politics where people tend to push each other down to clear the way for their own gain. Politicians, especially, try their best to ruin each other, but this can also happen among regular people. I think it goes to the point of selfishness.

These are just a few common Filipino traits I can give. There are so many out there, but these are the ones that really stand out from the rest. If you wanna know more about the Philippines and Filipinos, you can travel to our country and discover the beauty of my land and people for yourself. I hope you enjoyed this article!

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This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Erebus Helskin on August 21, 2020:

You maybe Filipino so your experience is one sided. But as a non-filipino, you should see filipinos on the internet on gaming sites, on Facebook. The most unfriendly and rudest bastards I have ever come across. And I'm not taking back these words coz this is a first hand experience. By me and a filipino work colleague. I told this filipino colleague of mine to pose as a non-filipino on the internet when he told me this same thing, that Filipinos are friendly. He said fine. He posed as a non Filipino for half an hour (30mins) and the insults he got from his own filipino people was priceless the look on his face was even more so. You are only friendly to your own people and people who maybe speak filipino. I don't give a damn what you feel. Don't speak a single filipino word to a filipino and see the way they talk. The insults they give you and then you'll. You Filipinos are not friendly to an outsider in the least. You're just good for business that's all.